What are Heirloom varieties?
Heirloom varieties, also known as heirloom cultivars or heritage varieties, are crops passed down from generation to generation within a family, community, or region and have generally been around for over 50 years. Farmers carefully selected these varieties over many years for their best characteristics and are open-pollinated, retain their genetic characters, and are “true to type.” They tend to have better nutritional value, are more adaptable to local conditions, and have unique shapes, colors, and flavors. These varieties hold immense cultural and historical significance. However, most such varieties have been replaced globally by introducing hybrid, artificially bred, or genetically modified varieties. Conservation of these valuable germplasms and the traditions linked to them hold great significance for a sustainable future of agriculture and food security.
